are you called?

Teens do not connect to programs; they connect to people! The most effective way to influence teens is through relationships. Our goal is to develop leaders who will walk the journey to Christ with teens.

what is required?

• A love for Christ and middle school youth.
• A desire to minister to middle school youth.
• A willingness to serve as a Christian role model.
• A weekly commitment to Sunday liturgy.
• 1-Day Training.

Societal shifts have made the middle school years more difficult than ever.  In addition, young people are also in the process of moving from being family-centered to friend-centered. Peers gain greater influence and parental authority is called into question. As they wade through all the difficulties of this time of life, they have real questions and need real answers. 

If parish leaders, parents, and parishioners ignore the unique challenges of middle school youth, they risk losing them forever.  According to the National Catholic Reporter, most Catholic youth stop identifying as Catholic at a median age of 13, long before they cease attending a parish; 80% of Catholic youth leave the Church by age 23!  

That's why WE NEED YOU for our  Middle School Mentor team!

Middle School Mentors are the heart and soul of the middle school youth ministry experience. With over 60 registered youth for our program, we require at least 10 - 12 men and women who will be paired together and charged with leading a small group. Without faithful and willing mentors, our mission cannot succeed!  

Interested in learning more about this beautiful ministry?

Contact Christina Steele, Middle School Coordinator
middleschool@zionsvillecatholic.com
317.873.2885 x501

The main role of a middle school mentor is to attend weekly Edge/Rooted Nights as a small group leader. This is critical for relationships and will only be built if you come consistently.

Your role is a combination of relational ministry, catechesis, and youth ministry.

• Relational Minister is the bedrock of quality, transformational youth ministry. The concept is simple: relationships are the heart of true conversion.

• Catechist is someone who “echoes” the Catholic teachings. As a direct result of the trust built as a relational minister; the youth will be more receptive to truth you teach.

• Youth Minister means you are willing to mentor and hold teens accountable to the faith in which they are baptized and confirmed. 

Gather: Youth come together and share a light meal or snack.  Then, the theme of the night is introduced through a game or challenge.
 
Proclaim: A witness of faith is shared, along with Catholic teaching; no more than 10 – 15 minutes
 
Break: Following the Proclaim, teens break into small groups to continue the discussion and talk about how the teaching can be applied to their lives. Each group is then assigned adult mentors who will guide them during this time. This is the backbone of the Edge program.
 
Send: At the end of the night, teens come back together for final remarks, announcements, and closing prayer. 

• Rooted Mentor Training (gr. 5/6) | August 8 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm
• Edge Mentor Training (gr. 7/8) | August 15 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Commit to attending every Rooted/Edge night.  Click here to view calendar.

Commit to our weekly agenda:

• 5:40 – 5:50 – Quick Core meeting to review evening and prayer.
• 5:50 – 6:00 – Welcome and greet youth
• 6:00 – 7:30 – Edge/Rooted Night
• 7:30 – 7:40 – Say good-bye, wait for parents and greet parents
• 7:40 – 7:50 – Review the night; discuss upcoming schedule, prayer

Come prepared in advance!

Have fun, but above all else, be the model of Christian faith – be authentic!

As a volunteer I will:

• Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.

• Avoid situations where I am alone with children and/or youth at parish activities.

• Report suspected abuse to the pastor or appropriate supervisor and the local Child Protection Services agency or other civil authorities.

I understand that as a volunteer working with youth, I am subject to a thorough background check, including criminal history. I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take any action as outlined in this Code of Conduct may result in my being asked to no longer volunteer in my parish.

Diocesan Safe Environment

The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana requires that all adult volunteers who work with children go through their online safe environment training. To complete the training, please follow ALL the steps below:

• Go to the diocesan website: Click Here
• Create a user profile
• For your position, select “Youth Ministry Volunteer”
• Request a background check
• Take the course, “Protecting God’s Children in the 21st Century”
• Take the course “Internet Safety”
• Read the Code of Conduct, click “I understand and agree,” then submit.

Once you request a background check, complete the course and agree to the Code of Conduct, you will see “STOP” on your screen. Your certificate will not be issued until the results of your background screening are reviewed. This process typically takes a few days.

Once the background check is cleared, the certificate will be issued directly to the parish office. Your background check and training is good for 3 years.